Front differential leak

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Old Jan 31, 2020 | 03:13 PM
  #1  
MBDMS's Avatar
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Sold - 2012 CLS550 OE Stage 1, Res delete, chrome delete, 20" rims, more to come
Front differential leak

Anyone had issues with a leaky front differential? Found it this week and not sure on how long it's been this way. Indy quoted around 1500 to replace inner and outer seals which requires dropping the differential to get the inside. Going to clean and top off today to make sure it really needs all that!

Looks like fresh drips between the two housings.
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Old Feb 5, 2020 | 08:09 PM
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Seeing how so many jumped in to help I'll post the outcome.

The rear output shaft seals had dried out and had to be replaced. Didn't want this one to linger as there is less than a quart of oil inside.

Crazy thing with this design, front output shaft had to be removed to fill. Only designed in a drain plug
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Old May 9, 2020 | 01:01 AM
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GT532's Avatar
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From: Vancouver, BC
2014 CLS 550
Hi MBDMS, I just purchased a 2014 cls550 4matic and had signs of an oil leak at the pinion seal for the front diff. I cleaned off the area and there is no more oil leaking which could indicate that the diff oil level is too low. During your research, did you happen to find out how to check the oil level for the front diff? TIA
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Old May 18, 2020 | 07:43 AM
  #4  
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Sold - 2012 CLS550 OE Stage 1, Res delete, chrome delete, 20" rims, more to come
Hey GT532! Wish I had better news, but the only way to check it is by removing the front output shaft.
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Old May 18, 2020 | 09:50 AM
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'71 Pinto
Depending on your mileage consider replacing fluid although not required by MB IMHO differential fluid should be replaced every 70,000 miles/7 years same as ATF. You can use this procedure: https://mbworld.org/forums/cls-coupe...ml#post8051871
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
14 CLS maint.pdf (149.9 KB, 647 views)
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Old Sep 28, 2020 | 08:14 AM
  #6  
Schifference's Avatar
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C280
Originally Posted by MBDMS
Seeing how so many jumped in to help I'll post the outcome.

The rear output shaft seals had dried out and had to be replaced. Didn't want this one to linger as there is less than a quart of oil inside.

Crazy thing with this design, front output shaft had to be removed to fill. Only designed in a drain plug
What did you have to do to fix that? Were you able to do it with the differential still on the vehicle? I would be interested to know your procedure. Thanks!
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Old Nov 30, 2022 | 01:16 PM
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2020 C300
WENT TO A MERCEDES DEALERSHIP AND HAD OIL LEAKING FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL

Hello.
I went to a mercedes benz today and they removed the engine and transmission undertrays and found oil to be leaking from the front differential. They recommended front differential reseal. Reinstalled undertrays.
I found out that my mb is from Canada that way here in the US i dont have any warranty on my car. Anyone had any experience with this before? I would like to see how much i would have to pay for a 3rd party to fix this problem?
Thank you in advance
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Old Jan 9, 2023 | 11:07 PM
  #8  
MBDMS's Avatar
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Sorry for the long delay in responding. I had my Indy fix the leak and back in 2020 it was just over $800.
Parts that were replaced:
1 Seal - 0009979108
1 Seal - 2213530359
1 Nut - 2213530372
1 RF Axle Seal - 0139971946
2 Nuts - N000000004425
And fluids
Total parts were less than $90! Very labor intensive!
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Old May 29, 2024 | 01:30 AM
  #9  
wramir01's Avatar
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C300
Originally Posted by MBDMS
Sorry for the long delay in responding. I had my Indy fix the leak and back in 2020 it was just over $800.
Parts that were replaced:
1 Seal - 0009979108
1 Seal - 2213530359
1 Nut - 2213530372
1 RF Axle Seal - 0139971946
2 Nuts - N000000004425
And fluids
Total parts were less than $90! Very labor intensive!

That sounds very reasonable. My MB dealership was servicing my car and found that same issue; long story short they want $3700 to replace the seals and add the fluid.

I am getting a third party quote tomorrow, I hope it won’t be that bad.
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